The Consumer Revolution, 1650-1800

Consumerism is a controversial topic, but sustainable and ethical consumerism movements are gaining momentum. This volume explores the consumer revolution of the eighteenth century, when European elites, middling classes, and laborers purchased unprecedented quantities of clothing, household goods, and colonial products. It incorporates a global perspective, including the expansion of European empires, the development of world trade, and the rise of plantation slavery in the Americas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 262 pages
Publication date: 03 February 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Consumerism, the production, acquisition, and use of consumer goods, plays a significant role in our daily lives. However, it has also become increasingly controversial, prompting movements for sustainable and ethical consumerism. Alongside this awareness, there is growing recognition of the impact of our marketplace choices on public issues. In this volume, Michael Kwass offers a bold new interpretation of the consumer revolution of the eighteenth century. During this time, European elites, middling classes, and even certain laborers purchased unprecedented quantities of clothing, household goods, and colonial products. Kwass adopts a global perspective, considering the expansion of European empires, the development of world trade, and the rise of plantation slavery in the Americas.

By analyzing the emergence of Enlightenment material cultures, contentious philosophical debates on the morality of consumption, and new forms of consumer activism, Kwass provides a fresh perspective on the politics of consumption in the age of abolitionism and the Atlantic Revolutions. This book sheds light on the complex relationships between consumerism, power, and social change, challenging us to consider the ethical implications of our consumption habits and the potential for positive change in the world.

In conclusion, Consumerism: A Global History offers a valuable exploration of the historical roots and contemporary implications of consumerism. By adopting a global perspective and examining the interplay between consumerism, power, and social change, Kwass provides a fresh interpretation of the consumer revolution and offers insights into the politics of consumption in the age of abolitionism and the Atlantic Revolutions. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between consumerism, society, and the environment.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780521139595
Edition number: New ed